Carl DeWees

Carl DeWees went home to be with his Heavenly Father on September 12th, 2023. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was 82.

Carl was born in 1941 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to his parents Lloyd and Lorene DeWees. Carl had two younger siblings, Emma Jean, and Clayton. Lloyd was in the dairy business and moved the family briefly to Arizona and Colorado before returning to Albuquerque to run operations at McIlhaney Dairy. Carl's first job was as a helping hand on that dairy.

In 1957 Carl married Barbara Lindgren of Albuquerque. The two of them had four children: Clinton, Bryant, Elaine, and Matthew. A year after the birth of Matthew, Barbara passed away due to natural causes. Carl, a single father of four, found love again in 1968 when he married JoAnn Keating. JoAnn became known as Mom and, eventually, Grandma and Great-Grandma. On August 31st of this year Carl and JoAnn celebrated 55 years of marriage together.

The family moved to Farmington in 1973, when Carl took a job at Arizona Public Service's Four Corners Power Plant. He would spend the rest of his career at the plant, working in a variety of roles-mechanic's helper, machinist's apprentice, machinist, foreman, and eventually a planner for turbine operations. He retired from the plant in 1998.

Carl was always active in church, serving 25 years as a deacon for Faith Tabernacle of Farmington (later Trinity Assembly of God, then Oasis Ministries). He and JoAnn were team Sunday School teachers for 2 years, with JoAnn delivering the lesson and Carl keeping order in the classroom. He was a Royal Ranger leader (a Christian based program similar to Boy Scouts) in Albuquerque and continued leading in Farmington for a total of 11 years.

In retirement he devoted more time to his passions. He enjoyed staying fit-even in retirement he was usually the first person in the gym. At home he ran an apple orchard, kept horses, and, along with JoAnn, maintained a beautiful garden, whose rose bushes are in full bloom today. He would spend the fall hunting. DeWees elk camp was a regular sight in San Juan National Forest in September and October.

Most of all, he loved watching his grandchildren thrive, and proudly claimed the title of World's Best Grandpa. Whenever his grandchildren were on the playing field you could guarantee he would be in the stands at Piedra Vista or Hope Christian High School. After the death of his youngest son Matthew in 2008, Carl filled the role of father again, helping to raise his grandchildren Nathaniel, Kyle, and Taylor DeWees.

He was preceded Home by his parents, Lloyd and Lorene, his sister Emma Jean, his first wife Barbara, and his son Matthew. He is survived by his wife JoAnn, brother Clayton, children Clinton, Bryant, and Elaine, as well as nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

The family will hold a public memorial for Carl at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, September 20th, at Daily Church (formerly known as Copper Ridge Church), 805 Saguaro Trail, Farmington.